nder'

my fingers steepled as a

she

Despite everything she m

be brave, pretended to be different, but in the end,

ered, glancing at

into my world without expecting something in return. And if she thought

oking the city. From this height, people looked i

phone and dialed

onnected. "Send a message to the Hale

" he repli

ear that this marriage will be strictly contractual. One

erst

omorrow," I added.

d slipped the phone

cold smile tugging at my lips. Bec

if Ava Hale believed she could buy her way into my world

long you last

's M

phone clutched tightly in his han

his voice tense. "If this continues, th

evealed concern. "That's why I sent the proposal to Alexander Bl

hope Mr. Alex agrees to marry

ng figures and losses wh

ing heavily on her body. Before she could say

come back," Vivian said coldly

" Skyle be

apped her hard across the face. "Useless girl! Neglect

ut said nothing,

d. "Clean the house, wash the clothes, a

k Skyle when Rich

h," he said.

ed to him i

Richard continued. "There's no

d faintly. "Fine," she said. "She can

ked up ca

Vivian added coldly. "And reme

ilently and tu

p away, Vivian spoke a

getting marri

e fr

?" she w

"I only hope Mr. Alex

rt tightene

*

rough channels absentmindedly when a

t man in New York," the news anchor announced. "His empi

s lit up

ed, a smile tugging at her lips. "Ima

mile

gedly confirmed rumors that Mr. Blackwood is gay, a spec

She grabbed the remote and sw

e scoffed

knock sounded

d up and opened i

ood outside, his expression

Ethan, Mr. Alexander Blackwood's

heart

ther. Richard appeared moments l

n envelope. "This is the marriage contract.

ard's hands trembled slight

ontractual. One year only. No emotional involvement

n't hesitate for even a second. Vivian added her signa

Ethan, who signed his own copy,

he door clos

rying him!"

m went

Vivian

hear the rumors? He's gay! Do you think

va, this marriage w

she interrupted.

rgue, but Ava's eyes suddenl

y, "no one knows the Hale

n sti

Richard

d smoothly, "he won't even know. Skyle

ll into a h

ze shifted

mile spread a

"No one knows about Skyle. And

esitated.

vian cut him off. "Skyle ow

led in